Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 6, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Flexible all-carbon electronics integrated onto plants, insects, and more- A cyborg sensor that could unlock anesthesia's secrets
- Astronomers harness the galaxy's biggest telescope to make most precise measurement of spinning star
- Two-lock box delivers cancer therapy
- Research in phonon scattering sheds more light on graphene as a replacement for silicon
- Field study suggests geoglyphs in ancient Peru were made to lead travelers to trade fairs
- Security expert claims iOS 7 doesn't encrypt email attachments
- Researchers image the Milky Way's magnetic fingerprint
- Shrinking helped dinosaurs and birds to keep evolving
- Are we ready for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence?
- Yawning frequencies of people vary with temperature of the season, study finds
- Researchers find 'seeing Jesus in toast' phenomenon perfectly normal
- Molecular switches age-related memory decline? Genetic variant protect against brain aging
- Chimpanzees show similar personality traits to humans, researchers say
- Computer scientists develop tool for uncovering bot-controlled Twitter accounts
Astronomy & Space news
Ham video premiers on space station
Astronauts on the International Space Station can now talk with people on Earth with video using simple transmitters. 'Ham TV' has been set up in ESA's Columbus laboratory and already used for talking with ground control.
NASA image: Saturn's rainbow rings
(Phys.org) —This colourful cosmic rainbow portrays a section of Saturn's beautiful rings, four centuries after they were discovered by Galileo Galilei.
Are we ready for contact with extraterrestrial intelligence?
The SETI project scientists are known for tracking possible extraterrestrial signals, but now they are also considering sending messages from Earth telling of our position. A researcher from the University of Cádiz (Spain) questions this idea in view of the results from a survey taken by students, revealing the general level of ignorance about the cosmos and the influence of religion when tackling these matters.
Neutron star magnetic fields: Not so turbulent?
Neutron stars, the extraordinarily dense stellar bodies created when massive stars collapse, are known to host the strongest magnetic fields in the universe—as much as a billion times more powerful than any man-made electromagnet. But some neutron stars are much more strongly magnetized than others, and this disparity has long puzzled astrophysicists.
Another word for Mars is dust, says rover camera operator
(Phys.org) —There's a four-letter word to describe conditions on Mars, and it's not pretty: Dust. It is everywhere and anywhere on Mars, and dust is a key component of Martian weather, says a Texas A&M University researcher who has spent much of the past nine years observing the Red Planet.
Researchers image the Milky Way's magnetic fingerprint
(Phys.org) —Our Galaxy's magnetic field is revealed in a new image from ESA's Planck satellite. This image was compiled from the first all-sky observations of 'polarised' light emitted by interstellar dust in the Milky Way.
Astronomers harness the galaxy's biggest telescope to make most precise measurement of spinning star
(Phys.org) —An international team of astronomers has made a measurement of a distant neutron star that is one million times more precise than the previous world's best.
Technology news
Faster maintenance for traffic control systems
A new app from Siemens halves the time needed for technicians to service intelligent traffic management systems on highways. The automatic display panels on sign gantries are controlled by sensors, and the exchange of data among sensors, signs, and the traffic management center takes place via roadside controllers. A technician making changes to the equipment on the gantry has to climb down to the roadside controller repeatedly to confirm his or her commands. With the InterUrbanService app, all the information is now displayed right on his or her smartphone. For more complex jobs, the technician can use the app to link up to the traffic management center too. The solution reduces the time needed to put the equipment into service and maintain it, and it makes the work less strenuous.
Test plant for automated battery production
Siemens is using automation technology to support the development of efficient production processes for large-scale batteries. A research production plant is currently being built at the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Germany. As of 2015, industrial companies working at the center will begin developing close-to-production processes and new materials for lithium-ion batteries. Their objective is to increase the quality of the batteries and lower the costs. Siemens is equipping the plant with a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system to handle production data. Among other benefits, this will help to evaluate production tests quickly.
Safe driving in city traffic
In future, cars with anticipatory driver assistance systems will help drivers to navigate their way through dense urban traffic without stress and above all safely. A taste of the solutions capable of transforming this vision into reality will be presented on May 14 by the 31 partners collaborating in the UR:BAN research initiative. The project, which runs to mid-2016, aims to develop new driver assistance systems and solutions for safe and efficient traffic management.
Futuristic look at artworks of the past
Anyone interested in art conservation knows very well how the devil is in the details. Restoring or preserving paintings, ceramics or sculptures has become an art in itself, one that requires knowledge, patience and advanced technologies. The INSIDDE project focuses on the latter with a scanning technology that is on track to taking art analysis and observation to the next level.
Pakistan's parliament votes to lift YouTube ban
Pakistan's parliament on Tuesday voted unanimously to lift a ban on YouTube, in a non-binding resolution that was nonetheless welcomed by free speech campaigners as an important symbolic move.
2K Games releasing doc chronicling art contest
The next release from 2K Games, the publisher of such interactive adventures as the sci-fi shoot-'em-up series "Borderlands" and the alternate history saga "BioShock," won't be another out-of-this-world game. It's a film planted firmly in reality. With the release of "The Art of the Game," 2K is becoming the latest game maker to trade interactivity for a documentary.
Twitter sinks to new low as 'lockup' expires
Twitter shares plunged to new lows Tuesday, under pressure after the expiration of the so-called lockup period, which banned sales by company insiders after its public offering.
Microsoft's Latin America headquarters growing fast in Florida
It's easy to envision what a world-class technology hub for the Americas could look like in Florida. There's already one shining example in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at Microsoft's Latin America headquarters.
Apple shares top $600 ahead of stock split
Apple shares on Monday climbed above $600 ahead of a stock split and as the company ramps up its stock buy-back program.
Apple awarded $119M, but who's winning the fight?
When a jury ordered Samsung to pay Apple $119 million for copying features of the iPhone, it was the latest chapter in the worldwide legal fight between the top two smartphone companies.
Facebook plans campaign to 'friend' small business (Update)
Facebook wants to increase its advertising and get more clicks on all kinds of ads. It believes tapping into the lucrative small business market will help it achieve those goals.
FAA: Data from U-2 spy plane caused computer issue
Federal aviation officials say the air traffic control system around Los Angeles shut down last week because data from the flight plan of a U-2 spy plane confused software that runs the system.
New tool eases the burden of creating and reproducing analytical performance models
Application performance modeling is an important methodology for diagnosing performance-limiting resources, optimizing application and system performance, and designing large-scale machines. However, because creating analytical models can be difficult and time-consuming, application developers often forgo the insight that these models can provide. To ease the burden of creating models, computer scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed the Performance and Architecture Lab Modeling tool, or Palm. Palm simplifies the task of constructing a model by automating common modeling tasks and providing a mechanism for modelers to incorporate human insight. With Palm, reproducing a model—a program that runs on a computer—is straightforward. Given the same input, Palm generates the same model. This is a first step toward enabling the open distribution and cross-team validation of models.
Vehicle emissions from new vehicles at record low
Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the U.S. backed off its record high last month, but average monthly emissions are now at an all-time low, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
Using proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells to recover high-purity helium
The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), together with Sierra Lobo Inc., has demonstrated the recovery of high-purity helium from hydrogen/helium mixtures produced at rocket engine testing sites using proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells.
The phone of the future may be powered by alcohol
A small, light and effective micro fuel cell generates electrical energy from hydrogen, ethanol and methanol. Gianmario Scotti has developed economical and rapid methods for the purpose of fabricating micro fuel cells in his doctoral research.
An intelligent vehicle that can detect pedestrians at nighttime
Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have designed a new pedestrian detection system for cars which works in low visibility conditions; the system is made up of infrared cameras which capture body heat.
Dogs, technology and the future of disaster response
Imagine a team of humans, dogs, robots and drones swooping onto the scene in the aftermath of a disaster and working together to find and rescue anyone trapped in collapsed buildings. That's the goal of a team of researchers from around the United States working on what they call the Smart Emergency Response System (SERS).
Is Facebook finally taking anonymity seriously?
Having some form of anonymity online offers many people a kind of freedom. Whether it's used for exposing corruption or just experimenting socially online it provides a way for the content (but not its author) to be seen.
South-west Australia's potential solar output measured with accuracy
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can be used to simulate the hour-by-hour power output of both photovoltaic and concentrated solar thermal power systems for any location in the south-west corner of Australia.
UAF unmanned aircraft site conducts first test flight
The birds were noisier than the Aeryon Scout as the mini quadcopter whirred over the caribou lounging in the field at the Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station this morning.
Staying on task in the automated cockpit
Automation in the cockpit is traditionally believed to free pilots' attention from mundane flight tasks and allow them to focus on the big picture or prepare for any unexpected events during flight. However, a new study published in Human Factors indicates that pilots may have a hard time concentrating on the automated systems that now carry out many of the tasks once completed by humans.
Data breaches: A new source of worry for CEOs
Add hackers to the long list of things that give chief executive officers insomnia. Target's chief executive, Gregg Steinhafel, is the first boss of a major corporation to lose his job over a theft of customer data. His exit from the helm of America's third-largest retailer on Monday shows that—in addition to guiding company strategy and keeping Wall Street happy with ever-growing profits— today's chief executives are being held responsible for lapses in computer security.
Chrysler to drop Dodge minivan in wider revamp
Chrysler Group wants to expand its sales with new vehicles—including a plug-in hybrid minivan and a new small Jeep SUV—and a more aggressive effort to differentiate its brands.
Tornado-stricken town rebuilds with clean energy
After a mammoth tornado wiped out most of Greensburg, Kansas, in 2007, supporters of clean energy seized on an unusual opportunity to rebuild a town from the ground up with the latest green technology.
News media challenge ban on journalism drones
More than a dozen media organizations challenged the U.S. government's ban on the use of drones by journalists Tuesday, saying the Federal Aviation Administration's position violates constitutional free press protections for news gathering.
Making wireless 10 times faster
It is rush hour and every motorist on the highway is driving in the right lane. The center and left lanes are empty.
China's Alibaba Group aiming to raise $1B in IPO
China's Alibaba Group is aiming to raise $1 billion in a long-awaited IPO likely to have ripple effects across the Internet.
Microsoft to open training hub in Canada
Microsoft is creating a new training and development center in Vancouver, British Columbia, focused largely on Office, Bing, Skype and MSN, that eventually could create 400 new jobs.
Security app gains foothold on college campus
Sarah Spann heard the steps behind her and quickened her pace. The man pursuing her on the University of Florida's campus sped up too. She ducked into an apartment-complex parking lot, but he lurked across the street.
Study says green buildings don't create happier workers, yet
(Phys.org) —Think working in an environmentally green building leads to greater satisfaction in the workplace? Think again.
Mysterious 150-year-old writing in rare copy of Homer's 'Odyssey' identified
(Phys.org) —An Italian computer engineer has solved a 150-year-old literary mystery found in a rare edition of Homer's Odyssey at the University of Chicago Library.
Disposable timer could be a nurse's best friend
(Phys.org) —In medicine, time isn't just money: it can mean the difference between life and death. Clot-busters must be given in the first hour of arrival in a hectic emergency room. Intravenous medications can spoil, and catheters that overstay their welcome invite infection.
No danger from magnetic fields in electric cars
Many people are concerned that electric cars produce dangerous magnetic fields. New research shows that this is not the case.
Norwegian army testing Oculus Rift virtual goggles system for tank drivers
The Norwegian army has announced that they have begun testing the possibility of using the Oculus Rift virtual goggle system in tanks to help expand the field of view for soldiers inside. Such a system would help tank drivers navigate during battlefield operations when the hatch is down, limiting vision for those attempting to maneuver the vehicle during wartime.
Computer scientists develop tool for uncovering bot-controlled Twitter accounts
Complex networks researchers at Indiana University have developed a tool that helps anyone determine whether a Twitter account is operated by a human or an automated software application known as a social bot. The new analysis tool stems from research at the IU Bloomington School of Informatics and Computing funded by the U.S. Department of Defense to counter technology-based misinformation and deception campaigns.
Intel, PC makers broaden support for Chromebooks (Update)
Another wave of laptop computers running on Google's Chrome operating system will be hitting stores this summer in the latest challenge to Microsoft's dominant Windows franchise.
IBM partners with universities on Watson projects
Watson is going to college. Students at seven of the country's top computer science universities will get a chance to try out IBM's famous cognitive computing system as part of new classes set for next fall.
Security expert claims iOS 7 doesn't encrypt email attachments
German security expert Andreas Kurtz, with NESO Security Labs, has posted an entry to his personal blog claiming that the latest version of iOS 7.1.1 (and older versions 7, 7.0.4 and 7.1) does not encrypt email attachments. If true, the revelation would run contrary to what Apple has been advocating on its website, that iOS "provides an additional layer of protection for (..) email messages attachments."
Medicine & Health news
Pakistan to set up polio vaccination points at airports (Update)
Pakistan will set up mandatory immunisation points at airports to help stop its polio outbreak spreading abroad, officials said Tuesday, though a health minister said the move played into the Taliban's hands.
Rare disease afflicts Brazilian village
This is a village where the people melt away. Tucked into the sunbaked rolling hills of Brazil's midwest, Araras is home to what is thought to be the largest single group of people suffering from a rare inherited skin disease known as xeroderma pigmentosum—or "XP."
Report calls for an end to complacency around asthma care
This first confidential enquiry report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Why Asthma Still Kills, published today, found nearly half (45%) of patients included in this study who died from asthma did not have any medical help during the final asthma attack.
Design of new foods should focus particularly on healthy gastro-intestinal tract
New foods should be designed – more than has been the case up to now – with human health in mind, and especially the health of the gastro-intestinal tract. There is a need for a new generation of products known as functional foods, which are beneficial to bowel health and which are also regarded as such by consumers. This is what Professor Vincenzo Fogliano said on accepting the post of Professor of Food Quality and Design at Wageningen University. He believes his own scientific discipline should help to reduce the high percentage of failures involved in introducing new products.
Food allergies in prison
Food allergy policies in America's jails and prisons are woefully inadequate and are a cause for alarm, says a University of Dayton sociologist.
Expert guidance strengthens strategies to prevent most common and costly infection
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common and costly healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in the United States. New evidence-based recommendations provide a framework for healthcare institutions to prioritize and implement strategies to reduce the number of infections.
Linking vascular inflammation to obesity and atherosclerosis
A study in The Journal of Experimental Medicine shows that IκB kinase β (IKKβ) functions in smooth muscle cells to regulate vascular inflammatory responses and atherosclerosis development.
Jordanian dies of MERS virus
A man has died in Jordan after being infected with the MERS virus, a media report said Tuesday, in the kingdom's second fatality from the disease this year and fourth since 2012.
AstraZeneca fends off Pfizer with new growth plan
AstraZeneca on Tuesday outlined plans to make sales jump over the next decade, an effort to persuade shareholders the drug maker can do well as an independent company, rather than get bought out by rival Pfizer.
Cardiovascular surgical care model improves care value, predictability and the patient experience
New research from Mayo Clinic shows that implementing a uniform method to care for lower-risk cardiac surgical patients improves outcomes, reduces patients' time in the hospital and lowers overall per patient costs by 15 percent. The study is published in the May issue of Health Affairs.
Patients with AMD may not need monthly injections
Researchers have found that, contrary to prvious clinical trial findings, monthly injections to counteract age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may not be necessary. The research is being presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Orlando, Fla.
Settlement seeks $100M fund for meningitis victims
A settlement that could result in a $100 million fund for victims of a nationwide meningitis outbreak linked to a Massachusetts pharmacy has been reached.
Factors leading to diabetes may contribute to milk supply problems for new mothers
New studies provide fresh evidence that the same factors that lead to diabetes contribute to low milk supply in some new mothers.
Early obesity linked to increased probability of severe obesity later in life
Exposure to long-term obesity has become more common with increases in obesity at younger ages. Researchers examined the relationship between BMI at age 25, obesity later in life, and biological indicators of health. They found that people who were obese by age 25 had a higher chance of more severe obesity later in life, but that current weight, rather than the duration of obesity, was a better indicator of cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Their findings are published in the June issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Perceived barriers limit WIC CVV use in Arizona
Low-income and minority communities and people participating in food assistance programs are more likely to consume fewer fruits and vegetables, depriving them of the health benefits of those foods. However, the government provides assistance, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), designed to improve the dietary quality of at-risk women and children and improve their ability to purchase nutrient-dense foods.
Sports and energy drink consumption linked with negative behaviors
Weekly consumption of sports drinks and energy drinks among adolescents is significantly associated with higher consumption of other sugar-sweetened beverages, cigarette smoking, and screen media use, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Minnesota and Duke University.
Lots of fruits and vegetables, but lots of high-fat snacks
The home is an important microenvironment in models of obesity and can trigger behaviors both positively and negatively associated with weight status. With this in mind, a group of researchers from Emory's Rollins School of Public Health, and the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia sought to examine the home food environment and determine which aspects are associated with healthy eating in low-income overweight and obese women who receive healthcare through local federally-qualified community health centers.
Gender may contribute to recovery time after concussion
A study of concussion patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) found that males took longer to recover after concussion than females did. Results of the study, which show that DTI can be used as a bias-free way to predict concussion outcome, are published online in the journal Radiology.
Study finds ADHD and trauma often go hand in hand
When children struggle with focusing on tasks, staying organized, controlling their behavior and sitting still, they may be evaluated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Clinicians, however, shouldn't stop there, according to a study to be presented Tuesday, May 6, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
World's smallest, leadless heart pacemaker implanted at Ohio State
It's about the size of a large vitamin pill and, for the first time in Ohio, the smallest heart pacemaker available is being tested at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may set stage for childhood obesity
Turning the TV off during mealtimes to help prevent childhood obesity may need to start even before a child is born, according to a study to be presented Tuesday, May 6, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Black, Hispanic children with autism more likely to regress than whites
Some children with autism appear to be developing normally when they are very young. They babble or even talk, make eye contact with their parents, and crawl and walk on schedule. Then suddenly, these skills seem to vanish.
Health Check: Can you treat the common cold?
With symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, cough, headaches and fever, the common cold can leave you feeling rotten for up to two weeks.
Novel antioxidant makes old arteries seem young again, study finds
(Medical Xpress)—An antioxidant that targets specific cell structures—mitochondria—may be able to reverse some of the negative effects of aging on arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease, according to a new study by the University of Colorado Boulder.
Team identifies genes influencing bone density
(Medical Xpress)—Geneticists have taken a major step forward in the battle against osteoporosis by identifying two genes that play critical roles in regulating bone mineral density. By targeting those genes with therapeutics, doctors may one day be able to manipulate bone density to prevent or cure the bone fragility that endangers the health of millions around the world.
Mothers raising children with autism prone to depression, stress
Mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorders experience significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and stress than mothers of typically developing children, a study by researchers at the University of Illinois suggests.
These suburbs are hot spots for heat-related illness
Do you live in one of the 16 Brisbane suburbs most likely to land you in hospital in a heatwave?
Hypertension related to new cancer therapies
New cancer therapies, particularly agents that block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, have improved the outlook for patients with some cancers and are now used as a first line therapy for some tumors. However, almost 100% of patients who take VEGF inhibitors (VEGFIs) develop high blood pressure, and a subset develops severe hypertension. The mechanisms underlying VEGF inhibitor-induced hypertension need to be better understood and there is a need for clear guidelines and improved management, say investigators in a review article published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
Exenatide has potential as a disease modifying agent in Parkinson's disease
A follow-up study of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who participated in an earlier "proof of concept" clinical trial using exenatide showed that improvements persisted twelve months after discontinuing exenatide therapy. These data provide strong encouragement for the further study of this drug in patients with PD, report researchers in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease.
New app measures the risk of chronic diseases
Globally, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer are responsible for thousands of deaths a year in economically active population. Such problems led to a Mexican scientific team to develop a virtual platform that soon, will let people know the risk they have to present these diseases, and provide recommendations to modify their habits and reduce the possibility of suffering them.
Task force issues improved definition for epilepsy
A UCLA neurosurgeon was part of a prestigious task force that has created a new clinical definition for epilepsy. The new interpretation, which updates a definition that had been in use for nearly a decade, broadens the scope of the brain disease and expands the number of people who can be considered to have epilepsy.
Researcher tackles depression prevention for the elderly
A summary of research on depression in older adults has uncovered a need for health professionals to take a more active role in its prevention.
New concept may explain vision problems in Parkinson's disease
(Medical Xpress)—Are patients with Parkinson's disease "blind to blindsight?" That's not a trick question, but the focus of an inquiry by neuroscientists from Rush University Medical Center as well as the Centre Hospitalier and University of Luxembourg.
The new face of tofu: And how to get your friends to try it
Tofu has long been a favorite among vegetarians and families with eastern ancestry. But now Tofu is becoming a bigger part of western diets, especially with 20-something women who want dishes that are quick, easy to cook and that can help keep them trim.
Maternal deaths falling, but not fast enough, WHO says
Global maternal deaths have fallen sharply in recent decades, but women in sub-Saharan Africa are still by far the most likely to perish while pregnant, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.
Scientists identify new protein in the neurological disorder dystonia
A collaborative discovery involving Kansas State University researchers may lead to the first universal treatment for dystonia, a neurological disorder that affects nearly half a million Americans.
As kids age, snacking quality appears to decline
The average U.S. child snacks three times a day. Concerned about the role of snacking in obesity, a team of researchers set out to explore how eating frequency relates to energy intake and diet quality in a sample of low-income, urban schoolchildren in the Boston area. They expected that snacking would substantially contribute to kids' overall energy intake, and the new data confirm that. But they were surprised that the nutritional value of snacks and meals differed by age.
Researcher discovers the mechanisms that link brain alertness and increased heart rate
George Washington University (GW) researcher David Mendelowitz, Ph.D., was recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience for his research on how heart rate increases in response to alertness in the brain. Specifically, Mendelowitz looked at the interactions between neurons that fire upon increased attention and anxiety and neurons that control heart rate to discover the "why," "how," and "where to next" behind this phenomenon.
Mobile health apps lack behavior-change techniques
Behavior-change techniques are not well represented in the marketing materials for top-rated physical-activity apps, according to a team of Penn State researchers.
Adults at higher risk of suicide attempt if parent abused alcohol, research finds
People who grew up with a parent who abused alcohol may be 85 percent more likely to attempt suicide than people whose parents did not abuse alcohol, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
Snacking contributes to fatty liver and abdominal obesity
Researchers from The Netherlands found that snacking on high-fat and high-sugar foods was independently associated with abdominal fat and fatty liver (hepatic steatosis). According to the study published in Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, hypercaloric diet with frequent meals increases intrahepatic triglyceride content (IHTG) and fat around the waist, but increasing meal size did not.
Researcher looks 'inside the box' for a sustainable solution for intestinal parasites
According to the World Health Organization, more than 450 million people worldwide, primarily children and pregnant women, suffer illness from soil-transmitted helminths (STH), intestinal parasites that live in humans and other animals. Considerable effort and resources have been, and continue to be, spent on top-down, medical-based programs focused on administering drugs to control STH infections, with little success. John Hawdon, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology, immunology, and tropical medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, advocates a more sustainable solution for controlling STH infections.
Protein molecule may improve survival in deadly lung disease
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have discovered a protein molecule that seems to slow the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that is often fatal three to five years after diagnosis.
Donor livers preserved and improved with room-temperature perfusion system
A system developed by investigators at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Engineering in Medicine (CEM) and the MGH Transplant Center has the potential to increase both the supply and the quality of donor organs for liver transplantation. In their report, which has been published online in the American Journal of Transplantation, the research team describes how use of a machine perfusion system delivering a supply of nutrients and oxygen though an organ's circulation at room temperature preserved and improved the metabolic function of donor livers in a laboratory study. The system has not yet been tested clinically.
Study: Concussion rate in high-school athletes more than doubled in seven-year period
Concussion rates in U.S. high-school athletes more than doubled between 2005 and 2012, according to a new national study using data on nine team sports.
iPhone app offers quick and inexpensive melanoma screening
The idea sounds simple: Take a photo of a suspicious mole or lesion with your phone, run it through an embedded software program and find out within a few seconds if it is likely to be cancerous.
Study shows that impulsivity is risk factor for food addiction
Have you ever said to yourself that you would only have a handful of potato chips from the bag then, minutes later, realized you ate the whole thing? A recent study shows that this type of impulsive behavior might not be easily controlled – and could be a risk factor in the development of food addiction and eating disorders as a result of cellular activities in the part of the brain involved with reward.
'War on drugs' a failure, Nobel winners warn
The global "war on drugs" has been a catastrophic failure and world leaders must rethink their approach, a group including five Nobel Prize-winning economists, Britain's deputy prime minister and a former US secretary of state said Tuesday.
Access to electronic health records may influence care
Unlike medical records kept in paper charts, electronic health records (EHR) provide numerous access points to clinicians to review a patient's medical history. A new study has found access to electronic health records in acute care situations may influence the care given to that patient, and in some cases, failure to review the EHR could have adversely affected the medical management.
Bayer to buy Merck consumer business for $14.2B
Germany's Bayer plans to buy U.S.-based Merck & Co.'s consumer health business, creating a combined medicine cabinet of household names from Bayer's aspirin to Merck's Claritin allergy pills.
Social workers can help patients recover from mild traumatic brain injuries
More than a million people are treated for mild traumatic brain injuries in U.S. hospitals and emergency rooms each year. Yet few receive appropriate psychological and social follow-up care that can make the difference in whether or not they fully recover.
Brain stimulation shows early promise against Alzheimer's
(HealthDay)—Four of six Alzheimer's patients responded to deep brain stimulation in a pilot study, German researchers report.
Daily aspirin regimen not safe for everyone, FDA warns
(HealthDay)—Taking an aspirin a day can help prevent heart attack and stroke in people who have suffered such health crises in the past, but not in people who have never had heart problems, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Blood pressure drugs help keep heart trouble at bay, FDA says
(HealthDay)—High blood pressure affects about one-third of American adults and raises their risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and death, but there are many medications available to lower blood pressure.
Motorcycle accidents claiming fewer American lives
(HealthDay)—Motorcyclist deaths in the United States appear to have decreased 7 percent in 2013, which would make it only the second year since 1997 in which there has been a decline, a new report shows.
Moderate alcohol intake linked to reduced risk of RA
(HealthDay)—There is a modest association between long-term, moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in women, according to a study published online April 11 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
DDW: Endoscopic L-menthol spray ups colon polyp detection
(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing colonoscopy, L-menthol sprayed directly onto the colonic mucosa improves the adenoma detection rate, according to a study presented at the annual Digestive Disease Week, held from May 3 to 6 in Chicago.
Older infertile couples should try in vitro fertilization first, study says
(HealthDay)—Middle-aged couples who want to have a baby but are having trouble conceiving should go straight to in vitro fertilization (IVF), skipping other types of fertility treatment, a new clinical trial recommends.
Low vitamin D levels tied to increased cancer risk in IBD
(HealthDay)—Low plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) are associated with an increased risk of cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), according to a study published in the May issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Central-line blood infections remain costly for children
(HealthDay)—In pediatric inpatient settings, the rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) have improved, but infections remain costly and correlate with high length-of-stay (LOS), according to a study published online May 5 in Pediatrics.
Mass vaccination campaigns reduce the substantial burden of yellow fever in Africa
Yellow fever, an acute viral disease, is estimated to have been responsible for 78,000 deaths in Africa in 2013 according to new research published in PLOS Medicine this week. The research by Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London, UK and colleagues from Imperial College, WHO and other institutions also estimates that recent mass vaccination campaigns against yellow fever have led to a 27% decrease in the burden of yellow fever across Africa in 2013.
Water from improved sources is not consistently safe
Although water from improved sources (such as piped water and bore holes) is less likely to contain fecal contamination than water from unimproved sources, improved sources in low- and middle-income countries are not consistently safe, according to a study by US and UK researchers, published in this week's PLOS Medicine.
'Exploding head syndrome'—a real but overlooked sleep disorder
It sounds like a phrase from Urban Dictionary, or the title of an animated gif, but a Washington State University researcher says "exploding head syndrome" is an authentic and largely overlooked phenomenon that warrants a deeper look.
College kids need to change unhealthy ways
Parents, forget the comfort food! It's time to send your college students care packages of fruit, veggies and exercise gear instead.
Black male incarceration can compromise research studies
Federal restrictions on including prisoners in medical research have negatively impacted research involving black men, who are disproportionately imprisoned, according to a study by Yale School of Medicine researchers. Because individuals who are already in ongoing studies must be dropped if they are incarcerated, this compromises the ability of researchers to examine racial disparities in health outcomes studies.
When newlyweds believe in sharing household chores, follow-through is everything
Of all the starry-eyed just-married couples you know, which couples are likely to stay the happiest? A University of Illinois study says chances for bliss are highest when husband and wife both believe in divvying up the household labor equally. But that happiness won't last long if one partner is perceived as not carrying their fair share of the load.
Merck: New drugs pending approval or in late tests
Merck & Co. could get an impressive six new prescription medicines approved in the U.S. this year and will soon apply for regulatory approval of two others, company executives said Tuesday during a briefing on Merck's business.
Number of US elderly will double by 2050, report says
(HealthDay)— There will be almost twice as many elderly Americans in 2050 as there are now, posing serious issues for the nation's health care system, according to two U.S. Census Bureau reports released Tuesday.
Exercise could help disabled people, but too few are active, CDC reports
(HealthDay)—Half of the 21 million Americans who have a disability don't exercise, and that lack of exercise is jeopardizing their health, federal officials reported Tuesday.
Doctors should give toddlers fluoride treatments: US task force
(HealthDay)—Primary care doctors should start playing a more prominent role in dental care for children, according to new recommendations from the influential U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Simple technique may help older adults better remember written information
(Medical Xpress)—University of Florida researchers have advice for older adults who need to remember detailed written information: Don't just read it, tell someone about it.
Having eczema may reduce your risk of skin cancer
Eczema caused by defects in the skin could reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, according to new research by King's College London. The immune response triggered by eczema could help prevent tumour formation by shedding potentially cancerous cells from the skin.
Researchers model neural structures on the smallest scales to better understand traumatic brain injury
Compared to the monumental machines of science, things like the International Space Station or the Large Hadron Collider, the human brain doesn't look like much. However, this three-pound amalgam of squishy cells is one of the most complicated and complex structures in the known universe.
Modulating your own immune response
With the help of simple techniques like breathing exercises, meditation and repeated exposure to cold, you can activate the autonomic nervous system and inhibit the response of your immune system. Researchers from the Radboud university medical center have provided the first scientific evidence for this in an article published yesterday in the leading scientific journal PNAS.
Genetic risk factor for premature birth found
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a genetic risk factor for premature birth. The risk factor is related to a gene that codes for a protein that the scientists have found helps the body's immune cells recognize and fight Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria.
Researchers find 'seeing Jesus in toast' phenomenon perfectly normal
People who claim to see "Jesus in toast" may no longer be mocked in the future thanks to a new study by researchers at the University of Toronto and partner institutions in China.
Yawning frequencies of people vary with temperature of the season, study finds
Common belief is that yawning helps to increase the oxygen supply. However, previous research has failed to show an association between yawning and blood oxygen levels. New research by a team of researchers led by Psychologist Andrew Gallup of SUNY College at Oneonta, USA now reveals that yawning cools the brain.
Molecular switches age-related memory decline? Genetic variant protect against brain aging
Even among the healthiest individuals, memory and cognitive abilities decline with age. This aspect of normal aging can affect an individual's quality of life and capability to live independently but the rate of decline is variable across individuals. There are many factors that can influence this trajectory, but perhaps none more importantly than genetics.
Researchers identify how heart stem cells orchestrate regeneration
Investigators at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute – whose previous research showed that cardiac stem cell therapy reduces scarring and regenerates healthy tissue after a heart attack in humans – have identified components of those stem cells responsible for the beneficial effects.
Detecting fetal chromosomal defects without risk
Chromosomal abnormalities that result in birth defects and genetic disorders like Down syndrome remain a significant health burden in the United States and throughout the world, with some current prenatal screening procedures invasive and a potential risk to mother and unborn child.
New 'magnifying glass' helps spot delinquency risks
Drug abuse, acts of rampage – what's really the matter with kids today? While there are many places to lay blame – family, attitude, peers, school, community – a new study shows that those risks vary in intensity from kid to kid and can be identified.
Biology news
Canadian town tries to sell whale carcass on eBay
A fishing village in easternmost Canada has tried to auction off on eBay a sperm whale carcass that washed up onto its shores.
The effects of climate change on the ecological role of bees
The timing has been beautifully choreographed by nature. Rising spring temperatures prompt many bee species to begin their search for the flowering plants they depend on for food—and which they propagate through pollination. But what would happen if this vital, mutually beneficial relationship goes out of synch due to climate change? That's what Assistant Professor of Biology Daniel Bunker and PhD candidate Caroline DeVan intend to determine with the help of a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
Scientists challenge FIFA in advance of the 2014 world cup: Save the three-banded armadillo
New research in Biotropica asks FIFA to follow through with its environmental claims. The 2014 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup will be played in Brazil. Its "Football for the Planet" program aims to monitor greenhouse gasses, provide environmentally friendly stadiums, and better waste management. However, FIFA has not maximized this opportunity. In an article published in the upcoming issue, researchers challenge the role that FIFA and the Brazilian government play in protecting the environment, asking both to: protect 1,000 hectares of the critically endangered Caatinga ecosystem – the natural habitat for its World Cup mascot, Fuelco - for each goal scored in the World Cup.
Ants are less aggressive when overwhelmed by strong odour
Surrounding odours can affect the ability of ants to distinguish friend from foe, a new University of Melbourne study has found.
Protocol outlines steps for extracting ample DNA from uncultured microbes
Characterizing uncultured microbes starts with isolating and sequencing enough DNA from an environmental sample that may be as small as a single cell.
Equine specialist warns horse owners of dangerous virus
A Kansas State University equine specialist is warning horse owners of a highly contagious virus recently identified in Kansas and Wisconsin.
What brachiopods can tell us about how species compete, survive, or face extinction
Billions lie dead on the sea floor. Among the carcasses are dozens of species of small shelled marine organisms called brachiopods, their tight-lipped expressions frozen in time.
France acts to save endangered hamster
Authorities in the French region of Alsace have launched an action plan to save a hamster facing extinction, more than two years after Europe's top court rapped Paris for neglecting the little rodent.
How have changing sea-levels influenced evolution on the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands have an iconic status in the history of evolutionary study, now new research shows that the islands' own geological past may have influenced the evolution of the chain's native species.
$200 bird scaring line for trawlers can cut albatross deaths by over 90 percent
The sight of seabirds following trawlers in order to feast from discarded fish is a common maritime sight, but each year many thousands of seabirds are killed by overhanging cables or in nets. New research in Animal Conservation assesses mortality figures from South Africa to show that a simple bird scaring line can reduce the mortality rate by over 90%.
How DNA forensics could identify lost Nigerian girls
Forensic DNA technology could help identify and reunite with their families the more than 200 Nigerian girls who were kidnapped by Islamist militants, scientists told AFP Tuesday.
Distinct avian influenza viruses found in Antarctic penguins
An international team of researchers has, for the first time, identified an avian influenza virus in a group of Adélie penguins from Antarctica. The virus, found to be unlike any other circulating avian flu, is described in a study published this week in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Humans and squids evolved the same eyes using the same genes
Eyes and wings are among the most stunning innovations evolution has created. Remarkably these features have evolved multiple times in different lineages of animals. For instance, the avian ancestors of birds and the mammalian ancestors of bats both evolved wings independently, in an example of convergent evolution. The same happened for the eyes of squid and humans. Exactly how such convergent evolution arises is not always clear.
Infested tomatoes provide defensive weapons for healthy neighbors
(Phys.org) —Plants have chemical defenses against infestation. Sometimes, infested plants release volatile chemicals that signal other, non-infested plants to build up defenses of their own. Koichi Sugimoto and his colleagues at Yamaguchi University in Japan studied this plant-plant signaling system in tomatoes. They found that tomato plants infested with cutworms release a volatile chemical that healthy, neighboring plants use to create a pesticide. The research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Chimpanzees show similar personality traits to humans, researchers say
Chimpanzees have almost the same personality traits as humans, and they are structured almost identically, according to new work led by researchers at Georgia State University.
One step closer to cell reprogramming
In 2012, John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamakana were awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering that adult cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent ones (iPS); the cells obtained are capable of behaving in a similar way to embryonic stem cells, and hence have enormous potential for regenerative medicine.
Spider DNA spurs search into arachnid secrets
Scientists on Tuesday published the first spider genome, helping the quest to uncover secrets which could lead to smarter insecticides and man-made super-strong spider silk.
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